Abstract: Some devices included a substrate; and a through via, including a plurality of scallops adjacent the through via in a first region and a plurality of scallops adjacent the through via in a second region, the plurality of scallops having a first depth, the scallops having a greater depth. Some devices include an opening extending into a substrate, including a first region and a second region. Sidewalls of the opening include a stack of first concave portions extending a first distance into the first substrate, and a stack of second concave portions extending a second distance, greater than and parallel to the first distance, into the first substrate. A conductor partially fills the first concave portions and at least partially fills the respective second concave portions.

Abstract: Some devices included a substrate; and a through via, including a plurality of scallops adjacent the through via in a first region and a plurality of scallops adjacent the through via in a second region, the of scallops having a first depth, the scallops having a greater depth. Some devices include an opening extending into a substrate, including a first region and a second region. Sidewalls of the opening include a stack of first concave portions extending a first distance into the first substrate, and a stack of second concave portions extending a second distance, greater than and parallel to the first distance, into the first substrate. A conductor partially fills the first concave portions and at least partially fills the respective second concave portions.

Abstract: A circuit includes a voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO) and a frequency divider. The frequency divider input is coupled to the VCO output. The circuit further includes a phase-frequency detector (PFD). A control output of the PFD is coupled to the VCO. A first PFD input is coupled to a first frequency divider output, and a second PFD input is coupled to a second frequency divider output. The first frequency divider output is configured to provide a first frequency divider signal and the second frequency divider output is configured to provide a second frequency divider signal 90 degrees out of phase with respect to the first frequency divider signal. The PFD is configured to detect an occurrence of at least two edges of a signal on the data input while the second frequency divider signal is continuously logic high across the at least two edges.

Abstract: A circuit includes a voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO) and a frequency divider. The frequency divider input is coupled to the VCO output. The circuit further includes a phase-frequency detector (PFD). A control output of the PFD is coupled to the VCO. A first PFD input is coupled to a first frequency divider output, and a second PFD input is coupled to a second frequency divider output. The first frequency divider output is configured to provide a first frequency divider signal and the second frequency divider output is configured to provide a second frequency divider signal 90 degrees out of phase with respect to the first frequency divider signal. The PFD is configured to detect an occurrence of at least two edges of a signal on the data input while the second frequency divider signal is continuously logic high across the at least two edges.

Abstract: A circuit includes a voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO) and a frequency divider. The frequency divider input is coupled to the VCO output. The circuit further includes a phase-frequency detector (PFD). A control output of the PFD is coupled to the VCO. A first PFD input is coupled to a first frequency divider output, and a second PFD input is coupled to a second frequency divider output. The first frequency divider output is configured to provide a first frequency divider signal and the second frequency divider output is configured to provide a second frequency divider signal 90 degrees out of phase with respect to the first frequency divider signal. The PFD is configured to detect an occurrence of at least two edges of a signal on the data input while the second frequency divider signal is continuously logic high across the at least two edges.

Abstract: A circuit includes a voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO) and a frequency divider. The frequency divider input is coupled to the VCO output. The circuit further includes a phase-frequency detector (PFD). A control output of the PFD is coupled to the VCO. A first PFD input is coupled to a first frequency divider output, and a second PFD input is coupled to a second frequency divider output. The first frequency divider output is configured to provide a first frequency divider signal and the second frequency divider output is configured to provide a second frequency divider signal 90 degrees out of phase with respect to the first frequency divider signal. The PFD is configured to detect an occurrence of at least two edges of a signal on the data input while the second frequency divider signal is continuously logic high across the at least two edges.

Abstract: A circuit includes a voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO) and a frequency divider. The frequency divider input is coupled to the VCO output. The circuit further includes a phase-frequency detector (PFD). A control output of the PFD is coupled to the VCO. A first PFD input is coupled to a first frequency divider output, and a second PFD input is coupled to a second frequency divider output. The first frequency divider output is configured to provide a first frequency divider signal and the second frequency divider output is configured to provide a second frequency divider signal 90 degrees out of phase with respect to the first frequency divider signal. The PFD is configured to detect an occurrence of at least two edges of a signal on the data input while the second frequency divider signal is continuously logic high across the at least two edges.

Abstract: A bandgap reference voltage circuit includes a bandgap reference voltage generator and a startup current generator. The bandgap reference voltage generator is configured to generate a first voltage and a second voltage. The startup current generator includes a voltage comparator and a switch. The voltage comparator is connected to the bandgap reference voltage generator and is configured to compare the first voltage with the sum of the second voltage and an offset voltage and to generate a comparison result. The switch is connected between the voltage comparator and the bandgap reference voltage generator and is configured to selectively connect a supply voltage to the bandgap reference voltage generator based on the comparison result. A device that includes the circuit is also disclosed. A method of operating the circuit is also disclosed.

Abstract: A circuit for generating an output voltage and method for setting an output voltage of a low dropout regulator are provided. A current source is configured to generate a reference current, and an error amplifier has a first input, a second input, and a single-ended output. The first input is connected to a reference voltage, and the second input is connected to an output node of the circuit via a feedback resistor. A pass transistor includes a control electrode connected to the single-ended output of the error amplifier, a first electrode connected to a power supply voltage, and a second electrode connected to the output node of the circuit. A first branch of a current mirror is connected to the current source, and a second branch of the current mirror is connected to the second terminal of the feedback resistor. The output node provides an output voltage of the circuit.

Abstract: A bandgap reference voltage circuit includes a bandgap reference voltage generator and a startup current generator. The bandgap reference voltage generator is configured to generate a first voltage and a second voltage. The startup current generator includes a voltage comparator and a switch. The voltage comparator is connected to the bandgap reference voltage generator and is configured to compare the first voltage with the sum of the second voltage and an offset voltage and to generate a comparison result. The switch is connected between the voltage comparator and the bandgap reference voltage generator and is configured to selectively connect a supply voltage to the bandgap reference voltage generator based on the comparison result. A device that includes the circuit is also disclosed. A method of operating the circuit is also disclosed.

Abstract: A circuit for generating an output voltage and method for setting an output voltage of a low dropout regulator are provided. A current source is configured to generate a reference current, and an error amplifier has a first input, a second input, and a single-ended output. The first input is connected to a reference voltage, and the second input is connected to an output node of the circuit via a feedback resistor. A pass transistor includes a control electrode connected to the single-ended output of the error amplifier, a first electrode connected to a power supply voltage, and a second electrode connected to the output node of the circuit. A first branch of a current mirror is connected to the current source, and a second branch of the current mirror is connected to the second terminal of the feedback resistor. The output node provides an output voltage of the circuit.